Question

Some students are sharing pens among themselves. If each gets 5, no pens will be left. If each gets 3, 12 pens will be left. How many students are there?​

Answer 1

6 students

Explanation:

Let x = number of students

Let y = total number of pens

Given:

• If each student gets 5 pens, no pens will be left

⇒ 5x = y

Given:

• If each students gets 3, 12 pens will be left.

⇒ 3x = y - 12

Substitute 5x = y into 3x = y - 12 and solve for x:

⇒ 3x = 5x - 12

⇒ 12 = 5x - 3x

⇒ 2x = 12

⇒ x = 6

Therefore, there are 6 students.